Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete on Thursday reminded the people to be vigilant and keep watch over corrupt candidates in the May 9, 2022 elections.
Cortes gave the advice in his homily as he celebrated the first of the nine-day dawn Masses or “Simbang Gabi” in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in preparation for Christmas, a tradition widely known and practiced in the Philippines.
Citing how the Pharisees and religious leaders had “hardened hearts” and rejected John the Baptist and even Jesus Christ, the bishop noted how this is true even today, especially in the world of politics.
“This shows us how power blinds us, how power corrupts us,” Cortes said.
The prelate said many people are no longer aware of the unacceptable things they are capable of doing once they are corrupted by power.
Even though the campaign period has not begun, many candidates are already seen going around promoting themselves, he said in the dialect.
Cortes called on the people to choose candidates who have the four core values of a good political leader: “maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-kalikasan, and maka-bansa (pro-God, -people, -nature, and -country).”
“Ato kining hatagan ug pagtagad karon kay kung mabutang sa gahom ang tawo nga corrupt (Let us put a premium on these because once a corrupt person is put into power), absolute power corrupts absolutely,” he said.
The love for power tends to blind some individuals and they refuse to listen to the voice of the people, making them liars, manipulative, and oppressive, he further said in the Cebuano dialect.
Source: Philippines News Agency